OSMOTIC ADJUSTMENT IN WATER-STRESSED GRAPEVINE LEAVES IN RELATION TO CARBON ASSIMILATION

The response of grapevine plants to severe water deficit (predawn leaf water potential of - 1.13 MPa), imposed at a rate of about 0.16 MPa day-1 was studied in terms of leaf water relations characteristics, stomatal behaviour and gas exchange. Carbohydrate status of leaves was also analysed in order to assess the contribution of soluble sugars as osmotic solutes during drought. Pressure/volume analysis showed an active osmotic adjustment in water-stressed leaves, which decreased osmotic potential at full turgor by 0.45 MPa and the apoplastic water fraction showed a reduction of 19% as compared to the well-watered plants. Cell wall elasticity was not significantly affected by water stress, and turgor loss point in stressed leaves was reached at lower water potential and relative water content values than in the well-watered controls. Photosynthesis was markedly reduced in water-stressed plants. However, well-watered and water-stressed leaves had similar concentrations of glucose and fructose. The concentrations of sucrose and starch decreased in water-stressed leaves. This accounted for a marked decrease in the ratio of leaf dry weight to area in droughted plants. The changes in concentrations of soluble carbohydrates could not account for the difference in osmotic potential between water-stressed and well-watered leaves.